Thirteen

Ruby's POV:

I managed to escape from Lucian, not giving him a chance to speak as I walked away quickly. I had already asked Adam to come pick me up, and I hoped he would arrive soon.

I stood by the corner outside the gate, waiting for almost thirty minutes, but there was no sign of him. Just as I was about to call again, a car stopped, and Adam got out to open the door for me.

"Does this mean he has forgiven me?" I wondered as I got into the car.

Something felt off, both the car and the driver. But with my blurred vision and my body starting to shut down, I couldn't tell left from right.

"Are you okay?" a male voice echoed in my head, and all I could do was nod. Then he started the engine.

Smiling from the backseat, I fell asleep, unaware of my surroundings or position. I felt hesitant, knowing it was Adam driving me home. Despite our disagreement, I knew he wouldn't harm me.

I woke up, my vision still blurred, and my head throbbing with pain. I had drunk a lot the previous night. I remembered going to Lucian's place, but...

"Where am I? Is this Lucian's house?" I managed to open my eyes after rubbing them for a few seconds, only to find a maid servant entering the room with a tray in her hands.

She was dressed in a maid's attire and had a bright smile as she approached me. I had never seen her before.

"Oh, dear, you're already awake. Please have this," the maid said, handing me a cup.

I kept staring at the maid while taking the cup. Perhaps I had hit my head and was hallucinating.

"I'll be back soon. Please freshen up so you can take a bath," the maid added.

I tried to get up, but my body felt too heavy for my legs to carry. The maid noticed my struggle and rushed to help me.

"Where are my things, and who are you?" I asked as we locked eyes.

The maid didn't frown or act strange; she just took a step back after I stood up, and then she replied, "Our master brought you in last night. You were very drunk, so he asked me to attend to anything you need."

"What is his name?" I asked, wondering if it was Adam she referred to as the master.

Adam was wealthy, but not to this extent, and I had been to his house before. Who did I really call last night?

As the maid hurried to answer, I started searching the room for my phone.

"It's Master Tyler, Miss!" she replied, and I froze. Dumbfounded and stuck.

It was Adam I had talked to, so how did I end up at Tyler's place?

I made an attempt to leave the room, but the maid got in my way.

"I'm sorry, but you can't leave the room looking so disheveled. Stay here, I'll be back soon," the maid said as she walked to a door and opened it.

I didn't know what she was up to, and curiosity took over. She might want to harm me.

But just as I was about to take a step, she called out from behind, "Please come this way. You need to brush your teeth, take a bath, and change your clothes."

Without needing to be told, I realized she was right. I couldn't meet a man while looking homeless and smelling. I accepted her offer and walked towards her.

She asked if she could assist me with bathing since I was still weak. But no, I was too shy for that. I told her I could manage on my own.

The maid

showed me everything I needed and excused herself.

After the maid left, I faced the mirror to take a look at myself. The maid was right; I couldn't leave the room looking like an escaped witch.

While staring into the mirror, tears filled my eyes. Sadness crept in, and my life suddenly felt out of control. Everything seemed to be going wrong, and here I was in Tyler's house. I couldn't even remember what happened last night.

If Adam were to find out about this, it would only add fuel to the fire.

I couldn't even find my phone.

After about 20 minutes, the maid servant returned, still wearing her ever-present smile. I had finished bathing and had put on the clothes she had prepared for me, as if they were tailored to my size.

"Oh, you're already done? I was coming to lend you a hand," she said.

As much as I appreciated her hospitality, I wasn't interested in that. Tyler had brought me to his house without my permission. He didn't want Adam and me to get back together.

"Take me to Tyler!" I spoke more like a command than a question.

She only smiled back and led the way.

Quietly, I followed her. The place looked like paradise on earth. Tyler really loved classic things. Though I was helping him, I never knew he was this wealthy and sophisticated. Everything was neat and perfectly arranged.

We went downstairs, and she pointed to a door.

"That's his study. He's waiting for you."

He knew I was coming downstairs? I smiled back at the lovely maid and walked up to the door. As I was about to open it, I heard him.

"Come in!" he invited.

I pushed the door open to see him looking calm and dashing. He really had a nice physique, which always made him the center of attention.

"Do you have something to say? How do you feel now?" he asked, bringing me back from my daydream.

"Why did you kidnap me? You took advantage of my drunken state," I yelled at him.

I think I saw him laugh, but it vanished almost instantly. Then he looked up at me and crossed his arms.

"And why would I do that?" he asked, and my mind went blank.

I couldn't even think of a response.

"You called me," he said, and my jaw dropped.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Liar!" I shouted, wanting to say more when he handed my phone to me.

He remained calm and didn't argue.

Still doubting, I took my phone from his hand and unlocked it.

As I went through the call log, I turned to Tyler, my face reflecting shock. But he didn't laugh or make a move; he just gave me a look that said, "I told you so," and I found myself speechless once again.

"Aren't you going to argue anymore?" he finally said something, and I felt too embarrassed to even look at his face.

"I'm sorry. Thanks for last night... I can't stay here any longer. I have my own house, so..." Tyler interrupted.

"You can go then. I'm not holding you back," he said.